West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-07-08
PROHIBITION IN ATLANTA.
The Constitution, June 80.

was put on trial III IIlS clty is entl-
tied to place among great events.
No election of local nature was
ever before held in a city of sixty
thousand people in which more was
involved. The changes proposed
by it were so radical as to be almost
revolutionary. Over a hundred bus
mess houses were to be closed.
Nearly five hundred men were to be
forced to give up chosen employ
ment The city treasury was to be
left with forty thousand dollars less
revenue. Trade amounting annual
" to millions was to be turned away
from the city. Many large business
houses were to be left unrented. Of
course, a movement proposing meas
ures so radical met with the most
spirited and determined opposition.
Many of our best citizens regarded
it with outspoken disfavor.
1t was said that prohibition in 4
city so large as this was impractical
BILE, that it would not prohibit, that
the trade would be injured, that tax
es would be increased, that the store
in which the liquor business was
carried on would not be rented for
other purposes. that the same a.
mount of whiskey would be drank
with the law as without it, the city
would only miss the revenue, that it
would be a death blow to Atlanta's
progress.
1t has now been eighteen months
since the election, and twelve months
since the law went into effect. We
are prepared thus from observation
to note results.
Prohibition in this city does pro-
hibit. The law is observed as well
the law against carrying concealed
weapons, gambling, theft and other
offenses of like character. If there
had been as many people in favor of
carrying concealed weapons, theft,
gambling etc., as there were in favor
of the retail of ardent spirits, twelve
months ago, the law against these
things would not have been carried
outas well as it was against the liquor
trade. In consideration of the small
majority with which prohibition was
carried, and the large number of
people who were opposed TO seeing
it prohibit, the law has been marvel
ously we'll observed.
Prohibition has not injured the
city financially. According to the
assessors books property in the city
has increased over two million Of
dollars. Taxes have not been in
creased. Two streets in the city,
Decatur and Peters, were known as
liquor streets. 1t was hardly con-
sidered proper for lady to walk
these streets without an escort.
Now they are perfectly orderly
Property on them has advanced
Is per cent. The loss of $40, 600
revenue, consequent ON closing the
saloons, has tended in no degree to
impede the city's progress in any
direction. More furniture has been
sold to mechanics and laboring men
in the last twelve months than in
any twelve months during the his
tory of the city. The manufactur-
ing establishments of the city have
received new life. All improve
ment companies with basis in real
estate have seen their stock doubled
in value since the election on prohi-
bition.
Stores in which the liquor trade
was conducted are not vacant but
are now occupied by other lines of
trade. According to the real estate
men more laborers and men of linn
tied means are buying lots than
ever before. Rents are more prom
pity paid. More houses are rented
by the same number of families
than before. Workingmen who for
merly spent a part of their money
for liquor, now spend it in food and
clothes for their families. The re
tail grocery men sell more goods and
collect their bills better than ever
before Thus they are able to set
tie more promptly with the whole
sale men.
A perceptible increase has been no
ticed in the number of people who
ride on the street cars. According
TO the coal dealers, many people
bought coal and stored it away last
winter who had never been known
to do so before. A leading propri-
etor of millinery store said that
he had sold more hats and bonnets
to laboring men for their wives and
daughters, than ever before in the his
tory of his business. Contractors say
their men do better work, and on
Saturday evenings, when they re-
ceive their weeks wages, spend the
same for -four, hams, dry goods, or
other necessary things for their fam
lies. Thus they are in better spirits,
have more hope, and are not inclin-
ed to strike and growl about higher
wages.
Attendance upon the public
schools has increased. The School
Report says:
During the past year it has be-
come subject of remark by teachers
that the children were better dress
ed, were better shod, and presented
neater appearance than ever before.